By Kes Gray
Illustrated by Garry Parsons
Candlewick, $15.00, ISBN: 0763621277
Billy doesn't want a bike or a computer game for his birthday, he only wants a bucket. Billy sees submarines, sea lions, and a shark in his bucket; his parents just smile. When they ignore his warning never to borrow his bucket, they are in for a big surprise! Colorful, large acrylics complement an imaginative story.
3. DON'T TAKE YOUR SNAKE FOR A STROLL
By Karin Ireland
Illustrated by David Catrow
Harcourt, $16.00, ISBN: 0152023615
Superb, bright, detailed watercolors almost steal the show, yet the whimsical, easy rhymes that tell what happens if you take a pig to the mall, an elephant to the beach, or a snake for a stroll are engaging to read aloud. Total fun!
4. ELEANOR, ELLATONY, ELLENCAKE, AND ME
By C.M. Rubin
Illustrated by Christopher Fowler
Gingham Dog Press/McGraw-Hill Children's Publishing, $14.95, ISBN: 1577684125
Even though Eleanor seems content to be just Eleanor, the adults who love her want so much more for her, including the perfect nickname: "Ellatony," "Ellencake," "E"? Lively, cheerful illustrations show well-intentioned adults and a sparkling young girl who learns to be her own person. A charmer.
5. FLAWED DOGS: THE YEAR-END LEFTOVERS AT THE PIDDLETON "LAST CHANCE" DOG POUND
Written and illustrated by Berkeley Breathed
Little Brown, $18.95, ISBN: 0316713597
The leftover dogs at this pound have all had owners of one kind of another and been rejected, yet humor abounds. Certainly the most unique children's book of the year, but what would you expect from the unrivaled-in-originality author/illustrator of "Goodnight Opus"?
By Jonathan London
Illustrated by Gregory Manchess
Candlewick, $16.99, ISBN: 076361680X
In this lush book a father shows his son the gifts of nature while out walking. The oil paintings depict forest, deer, quail, and more beauty in gloriously large, richly colored illustrations, a perfect accompaniment to the message of giving thanks for all.
By Tamson Weston
Illustrated by Stephen Gammell
Harcourt, $16.00, ISBN: 0152165029
A merry rhyming story of kids making, eating, cleaning up, and thoroughly enjoying pancakes is shown in lively, boisterous pastel, pencil, and watercolor illustrations. A delightful hoopla of a celebration featuring Grandma's favorite hotcakes, recipe included.
Written and illustrated by Ian Falconer
Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, $16.95, ISBN: 0689852916
Everyone's favorite pig is back! Believing that someone has stolen her toy, Olivia, still the brightest thing on any page, solves the mystery on a dark and stormy night. A true original, even in her third book, Olivia gives a beguiling glimpse into the complicated mind of a resourceful girl struggling to master her emotions and her world.
Written and illustrated by Chih-Yuan Chen
Kane/Miller, $15.95, ISBN: 1929132492
Shau-Yu finds cheer, wonder, and adventure in the simple things she encounters on the way to the neighborhood store to buy eggs for dinner. This quiet book that excels without bright color or splashy pictures, showing that magic is in endless details of everyday life like a shadow or a marble. Outstanding.
10. PANDA BEAR, PANDA BEAR WHAT DO YOU SEE?
By Bill Martin, Jr.
Illustrated by Eric Carle
Henry Holt, $15.95, ISBN: 0805017585
The great award-winning children's book team of Martin and Carle have produced another gift in the familiar form of the question-and-answer book. This time, endangered species are featured: a sea lion swims, a bald eagle soars, a black panther strolls, and a child dreams of animals roaming wild and free. A rare treasure.
11. TWO EGGS, PLEASE
By Sarah Weeks
Illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, $15.95, ISBN: 068983196X
A wolf server takes orders for two eggs from a wide variety of charming characters who come to her counter at the diner. As new customers order two eggs to their liking, others are seen to be thinking, "Different." Watercolor and ink illustrations offer a perfect slice of life that enhances the message of diversity, all wrapped up in fun.
